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The exhibition Parthenope. The Mermaid and the City at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples tells the story of the deep bond between the city and its mythical founding figure. Featuring over 250 works, from the 8th century BC to the present day, the exhibition interweaves myth, archaeology, art and contemporary culture. Parthenope emerges as a symbol of identity, poised between legend and reality, between the sea, music and seduction.
The exhibition traces the iconographic evolution of the siren, from a hybrid creature – half-bird, half-fish-tailed – to a figure with a fishtail, illustrating how the myth has transformed over time. Alongside the ancient artefacts, there is space for previously unseen materials and modern testimonies, including contemporary street art.
The exhibition also explores the origins of Naples, from the first Greek settlement to the present-day city, highlighting the cultural and symbolic role of the siren in history and in the collective imagination.
An immersive, multidisciplinary exhibition that captures the complexity of a timeless myth that remains alive in Neapolitan identity.
For more details, please visit the official website.
Piazza Museo, 19, 80135 Napoli NA, Italy
